Gujarat is where the wild heart of India beats, where sun lights the grasslands and meets salt-kissed marshes, and ancient forests echo with the calls of mysterious creatures. Here, the mighty roar of Gir’s Asiatic lions stirs the soul, while the graceful leaps of Velavadar’s blackbucks paint poetry across the plains; a spectacle best experienced at the renowned Blackbuck Safari Lodge or Blackbuck Resort, both true Velavadar resorts offering an immersive escape into the world of the Velavadar blackbuck sanctuary. Each sanctuary is a living canvas, brushed with vibrant colors and teeming with life’s untamed spirit. If your heart yearns for adventure and your soul seeks the thrill of the wild, let Gujarat’s enchanting wilderness be your next unforgettable journey. Here are the state’s most magical wildlife destinations you simply can’t afford to miss.
1. Gir National Park: The Land of the Asiatic Lion
Other than Africa, Gir National Park is the only place where you can spot the majestic Asiatic lion in its natural habitat. Spread over 1,412 square kilometers in the Junagadh district, Gir is also home to leopards, hyenas, jackals, crocodiles, and over 300 species of birds. Safari experiences here bring you thrillingly close to the king of the jungle and the park’s stunning landscapes of hills and rivers make every visit memorable.
Best Time to Visit: December to March
Activities: Jeep safaris, birdwatching, photography
2. Velavadar Blackbuck National Park: Grassland Wonderland
Velavadar Blackbuck national park in Bhavnagar District is an adventure center and a heaven for wildlife lovers. It is a specialized preserve as it is renowned to have gigantic golden grasslands and thriving population of blackbucks which are fine-looking antelopes with beautiful spirals of horns and amongst other things, have astonishing speeds of up to 80 km/h. Ruling the plains, the blackbucks are well over 3,000 to amuse the visitors with dramatic views of grazing herds, speed chasing as well as even fighting among the males particularly during the early morning or evenings hours when the animals are most active.
Blackbucks are not alone in the limelight however. Other animals which can be found in the park include the Indian wolves, blue bulls (nilgai), foxes, jungle cats and more than 180 species of birds including the rare lesser florican and large flocks of migratory harriers that travel annually to Siberia. The best season to see wolves is during winter because they are more evident and vocal as they are more often seen in groups when scouting the grasslands.
Best Time to Visit: October to May
Activities: Jeep safaris, birdwatching, nature walks
3. Indian Wild Ass (Khur) Sanctuary: The Last Refuge
Wild Ass Sanctuary of the little Rann of Kutch is the only such habitat in the world where the endangered Indian wild ass (Khur) makes itself at home. The sanctuary also has desert foxes, caracals, flamingos and cranes and is covered by almost 5000 square kilometers. The view as the territory changes dramatically during the monsoon period when it is transformed into a dense wetland is a spectacle on its own.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Activities: Jeep safaris, birdwatching, salt pan tours
4. Marine National Park: Underwater Marvels
The Marine National Park in Gujarat is India first marine national park situated in Gulf of Kutch. Coral reefs, mangroves as well as dolphins, sea turtles, and other colorful fish can be found in the park as it is a treasure trove of marine life. A snorkeling and a boat ride experience another form of a wildlife adventure which lets one see the beautiful world under the sea.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Activities: Snorkeling, boat rides, nature walks
5. Barda Hills Wildlife Sanctuary: The Hidden Gem
There is also a less known sanctuary of Barda Hills, near Porbandar, which holidays home to the Asiatic lion, leopards, wolves, jackals, including rare species of birds such as crested hawk-eagles and flamingos. The tropical forest and natural landscapes will be an ideal location to walk and spend time, and the sanctuary also has ethnic tribes, which enrich your journey.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Activities: Trekking, wildlife spotting, cultural tours
6. Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary: Birdwatcher’s Paradise
If you love birds, Nal Sarovar is a must-visit. It is a huge wetland and possesses more than 200 species of migratory and resident birds such as flamingoes, pelicans, storks and herons. Smooth boat rides at sunset or sunrise provide enchanting bird watching sessions in peaceful environments.
Best Time to Visit: November to February
Activities: Birdwatching, boating, photography
7. Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary: Weekend Wilderness
The Green Camp is located in the Jambughoda deep inside at the core of the Panchmahal district, teak and bamboo forest. It harbors leopards, sloth bears, wild boars as well as various species of deer. Sanctuary can be used as weekend retreat and it is possible to stay in the forest guesthouses in order to enjoy the real forest view.
Best Time to Visit: November to March
Activities: Nature walks, wildlife spotting, camping
Ready To Awaken Your Inner Explorer?
following the pawprints of lions through the ancient forests of Gir, witnessing herds of blackbuck jumping like dancing poets across the golden grassland of Velavadar or being lost in the shimmering salt flats where Wild asses and their unending horizons dance together. The wildlife sanctuaries cannot be simply visited with simple sights to see, there is a high pulse factor to it, exotic finds and an opportunity to get in touch with your wild side in nature.
Gujarat Invites You To Experience Nature In Its Most Dazzling Forms.
So, dust off your binoculars, charge your camera, and let curiosity be your compass. The wild wonders of Gujarat are calling.
